Girona is one of those places you hear about all the time as a cyclist. But experiencing it for yourself is something else entirely. It’s not just the famous climbs or the empty country roads, it’s how everything comes together: the routes, the cafés, the atmosphere, and the people you ride with.
Over a few days based in Banyoles, we got to experience a bit of everything Girona has to offer: from relaxed lake loops to long rolling days and the famous iconic climbs!
Day 1: Settling Into the Rhythm
There were two routes starting from Banyoles, split into groups depending on how people were feeling. Both routes led us to Aquarium Coffee, and this already set the tone for the week: good riding paired with even better coffee.
From there, one group looped around the lake and headed home, while the other added more climbing (and a bit more distance for those who were keen). It was the perfect introduction to the week; not overly demanding, but enough to get the legs moving and ease into riding in a new place.
Day 2: From Banyoles to Girona
Day two felt like a proper Girona experience. We rode from Banyoles towards Girona, passing through Olot and Les Planes; longer efforts, rolling terrain, and that satisfying feeling of covering distance.
Of course, no Girona ride is complete without café stops. Girona is known for its cafe culture; and Hors Catégorie and La Fàbrica are two spots you hear about even before arriving. We ended up stopping at La Fàbrica where we had amazing specialty coffee and to-die for pastries, while another group pushed on for a longer route.
It was one of those days where everything just flowed; the riding, the stops, the conversations. Nothing felt rushed.
Day 3: Rocacorba
Then came a much-awaited ride.
Rocacorba is one of those climbs you hear about long before you actually ride it. It’s got a bit of a reputation: nothing crazy steep, just consistently tough, the kind of climb that demands respect more than it demands explosiveness.
It doesn’t shock you at the start, it just kind of wears you down. Halfway up, when you start questioning your life choices, you realize that pacing matters more than power. You find a rhythm early on, thinking you’ve got it under control… and then it slowly starts to creep up on you.
And then you reach the top, lungs burning and legs heavy, but there’s that quiet satisfaction where it all feels worth it. Of course, the faster riders already made it up there, and it was great to have them cheer you on as you reached that final stretch.
Of course, no ride is complete without a proper café stop, and finishing at Rocacorba Cycling for coffee and a drink felt well deserved.
Day 4: The One I Missed
The final day was the Mare de Déu loop, a route I unfortunately missed, but heard plenty about after. From what I gathered, it was a proper Girona ride: more climbing, more views, and of course, more coffee!
More than just the rides
One day you’re spinning around a lake, the next you’re covering distance on rolling terrain, and another you’re testing yourself on a longer climb. In between, there’s the café culture: stops that aren’t just breaks, but part of the ride.
Girona isn’t just about big efforts or famous climbs. It’s more about the rhythm of it all: riding, stopping, chatting, and then doing it all again the next day.
If this sounds like your kind of week, join us for the next Physio Cycling Camp from September 26 – October 2 and experience it for yourself. Expect incredible riding, recovery sessions, good coffee, and an unforgettable week in one of the best cycling destinations in the world!